FG to install monitory system in Dutsen-ma silos
The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has said that it will strengthen the 25,000 metric tonnes capacity silos in Dutsen-Ma, Katsina State by installing an effective quality monitory system to make it up-to-date. Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Abdulkardir Mu’azu, stated this during a familiarisation tour of the silo facility Tuesday. The […]
The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has said that it will strengthen the 25,000 metric tonnes capacity silos in Dutsen-Ma, Katsina State by installing an effective quality monitory system to make it up-to-date.
Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Abdulkardir Mu’azu, stated this during a familiarisation tour of the silo facility Tuesday.
The minister, Alhaji Muhammed Sabo Nanono and the Permanent Secretary have been touring the nation’s Strategic Grains Reserves silos in a bid to make the system more effective.
The 25,000 tonne capacity Dutsen-Ma silos which is classified as the second generation silos, currently has 16,000 metric tonnes of grains-mainly maize and sorghum.
Dr Mu’azu during the visit said he was happy that the silos, which is automated but not with monitory system was functional.
“I have been able to understand today what support they require from the ministry to make sure they have been able to do their job very well and then to learn more on how to manage the grains because it is not only important that we have the grains in the silos, but that the grains are safe. For it to be safe, we have to install an effective monitory system where we will be able to monitor on continuous basis those variables that will ensure quality.
“This facility was constructed many years ago when we didn’t have an effective automated system monitory for quality. Now the ministry will consider investing in that,” he said.
The Director of the Strategic Grain Reserve, Engr Sule Haruna, said the procurement for other silos is ongoing and the grains can be kept for up to four years.
Representative of the farmers, Alhaji Sani Danjari, appealed to the ministry to allow them participate in the grains’ procurement process directly instead of contracting it to non-farmers organisations.